Caring boss Jos Luhukay has pledged to put a protective arm around the Sheffield Wednesday starlet who is fast emerging as one of the Championship's brightest young talents.

Just six second-tier matches into his fledgling career, Matt Penney is already a clear first-choice selection for the Owls and played a major part in last Saturday's 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

Matt Penney is congratulated by Jos Luhukay after the win at Aston Villa

But Luhukay, whose side face Leeds United in a Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough on Friday, is ready to take the youngster out of the firing line from time to time to lessen the risk of injury or fatigue.

Penney enhanced his burgeoning reputation with the quality of his display on the left side of midfield at Villa Park as Wednesday climbed too 10th in the table, three days after Luhukay had left him out of the clash at Nottigham Forest.

"We need him," the manager said after seeing goals from Marco Matias and Steven Fletcher down Steve Bruce's men. "It is maybe the fifth or sixth game in his young career. We go very carefully with him.

Matt Penney gets away from Albert Adomah at Villa Park

"It was our decision to give him a rest on Wednesday (at Forest) with three games in a week and with Leeds United and West Brom to come."

The 20-year-old, who has been with Wednesday since he was at primary school, is also comfortable at full-back but was given a more advanced role at Villa Park as Luhukay opted to play three at the back.

Penney marked home winger Albert Adomah out of the game while also making his presence felt going forward, showing a level of maturity far beyond his tender years.